French women inherently know how to pull stylish outfits together. They have mastered the art of mixing their wardrobe up and have been doing it for years. Their secret? They don’t care what everyone else is wearing! They know their own shape, style and preferences, and wear only what works for them.
The newer way of dressing is fresh and age appropriate, groomed but not perfect, and sensual but not skanky.
When we put our clothes together in a way that isn’t too polished or too perfect we achieve a more youthful look.
For instance a pair of great black bootleg pants, a white knitted top, a taupe hip length jacket worn open, a pair of black leather stack-heeled shoes, leather and metal cuff and a huge soft patent slouch bag elicits trés dégagé.
Be careful though. A white t-shirt tucked into a pair of black waist-gathered pants, an unzipped fawn rain jacket; a pair of tan moccasins, a thin metal neck chain and a scuffed black leather tote doesn’t evoke quite the same feeling of laid-back chic.
Mixing it up:
We’ve all seen a well turned out woman dressed from tip to toe in what is obviously a designer outfit, complete with matching accessories. And we’ve known that while the woman looks good, there’s just something about her outfit, (and you can’t always quite put your finger on what it is!) that prevents her from looking great. She looks pulled together and polished, but she doesn’t look youthful. Someone has dressed her!
We can’t wear expensive designer clothes all together and still look youthful. Something inexpensive needs to be added to the mix to deconstruct the look. It could be a lacy camisole worn beneath an amazing designer jacket or a pair of edgy jade earrings teamed with a classy LBD. No one is ever going to guess the camisole came off a mass retailer’s sales rack at the end of last season or the earrings cost a few dollars from Diva. What they’re going to see is an elegant and sophisticated woman because the whole package is stylishly presented, but not too polished.
Shift the mix around and take it up or down a level. Opt for laid-back elegance by introducing a relaxed item into a luxe outfit or make an impact by mixing a dressy element into a casual look.
Replace the lacy camisole with a square necked jewel coloured tank top and pull on a pair of dark denim jeans with the amazing designer jacket, or dress down the classy LBD with a couple of studded metal bangles and a brightly patterned thin-knit cardigan to bring energy and light to your face.
Ten Hot Ways to switch your look from up to down:
1. Small to medium sized round hoop earrings instead of long drop or chandelier earrings.
2. Thin woven leather belt instead of a wide belt with a bling buckle.
3. Flat shoes instead of heeled boots.
4. Plain jewel coloured T shirt instead of a frilly fabric blouse.
5. Dark blue denim jeans instead of black pants.
6. Fat hobo bag instead of a small clutch.
7. Thin silk scarf instead of a cashmere pashmina.
8. Wedge sandals instead of stiletto heels.
9. Long line cardigan instead of a tailored jacket.
10. Beanie and sneakers instead of a large brimmed hat and heels.
Of course the above also works in reverse to switch from down to up!
Style to suit you
Wouldn’t dressing be simple if every style enhanced every shape imaginable? Sadly, fashion doesn’t work that way.
Fit is the most important element of style. Ideally a garment should not gape, pull, ride up, tuck, gather, crease, fold or show any signs of stress when it’s worn.
A style that suits your shape but doesn’t fit well will never be flattering, so take the time to have alterations done - hems realigned, waistband adjusted or sleeves shortened.
Body IQ - discover your shape
Are you dressing to look the best you possibly can?
Most of us want to appear taller and slimmer, defined and youthful. Regardless of our height and weight, once we establish and understand our body shape there are lots of strategies we can use to create a gorgeous and balanced silhouette.
This is not the part where you spread a newspaper on the floor, lie on top of it and contort around yourself trying to draw your own outline! However, you will need a full-length mirror.
Honesty is the best policy when answering the following questions!
Is the bottom half of your torso noticeably larger or bulkier than the top half?Do you have a heavy butt or large hips, a small waist and narrow shoulders?
This shape is Triangle or Pear, and it’s the most common female body shape. Typically women in this category have full thighs, a broad beam and a relatively small bust.
Your main strategy to create balance is to visually broaden and draw attention to the upper body. You can do this by wearing:
Horizontal striped tops, the wider the stripe the more broadening effect it will have. Medium width stripes are the place to start.
An interesting neckline - a boat neck or wide straps on a sleeveless tank top will visually broaden and balance your upper body.
Shoulder pads – yes, really! These treasures balance and widen the shoulders and visually correct sloping shoulders if they are another of your issues. We’re not talking those old 1980’s power pads, just nice little soft, modern lifting shoulder pads.
A high placed focal point such as a necklace, scarf, eye-catching earrings or a broach brings attention to the upper body.
Garments shaped at the waist.
Straight pants, bootleg pants or bootleg jeans in medium weight fabrics.
Straight skirts.
Avoid wearing:
· Stiff, boxy fabrics.
· Boxy, shapeless, waistless styles.
· Hems cutting across and emphasizing the widest point of your body (hips and butt).
· A-Line, open pleated and full skirts.
· Tapered pants.
Is the top half of your torso heavier than your bottom half?
Do you have a full bust and narrow hips? You might have quite a flat butt, a small waist and thighs and you probably have shapely legs. You may refer to yourself as “top heavy”!
This shape is an upside-down or Inverted Triangle.
Strategies to visually balance your shape and to create the impression of a wider lower body are:
Well fitted bras.
Set-in sleeves that visually narrow the shoulder area.
Garments with side shaping (fitted knitwear, Basque jackets etc.).
Vertical interest above the waist such as striped shirts and tops, a deep ‘V’ neckline, long necklace or straight earrings.
Flared or bootleg pants in medium weight fabrics.
Knife pleated skirts.
Horizontal interest below the waist such as tiered or flounced skirts.
Avoid wearing
Stiff boxy fabrics.
Raglan sleeves
Garments that emphasise the waist if your bust is really full (unless you bought/ love your boobage - then go for it!).
Tapered pants.
Short sleeves with hems that finish in line with your bust.
Big splashy collars.
Do your bust, waist and hips all seem to have a similar circumference?
Do your hips tend to be square-ish, your butt flat-ish and your arms and legs slim?
Yours is one of the most common shapes found in women –it’s a Rectangle shape.
Many of us become rectangular with age; it’s because the mid-torso thickens as a result of the backbone compressing and creating less body length and less space to distribute weight.
The aim is to elongate the body. We can visually broaden the shoulders and define the waist. Here’s how:
· Wear garments that emphasise the shoulder line such as crossover or shawl tops and wide scoop necklines.
· Wear garments that flow through the waistline. Princess line, shirtmaker and wrap dresses will flatter the rectangle silhouette.
· Straight and semi fitted jackets skim the mid torso and elongate the body.
· Straight pants and bootleg pants balance the rectangle shape.
· Wear high placed focal points to draw the eye up – a stunning neckpiece, unusual earrings, big, fat flower broach etc.
· Straight skirts in medium weight fabrics.
Avoid wearing
· Stiff, bulky, clingy or thin knit fabrics.
· Fitted garments.
· Baggy palazzo pants and harem pants
· Oversize, loose or baggy tops. Cinch them in at the waist with a wide belt.
· Batwing sleeves.
Are you well proportioned with a well balanced upper and lower torso and a nicely defined waist?
Do excess kilos distribute themselves evenly over your body without changing your silhouette when you gain weight?
Your shape is the Hourglass and it is the most coveted female figure shape! For you dressing is seldom difficult; your challenge may well be deciding what to wear as most styles suit you!
The following flatter and show off your figure:
Shapely garments, especially those that enhance your waist.
Soft fluid fabrics that fall and drape over the body.
Any style that emphasises your curves.
Straight and bootleg pants.
Pencil skirts.
Avoid wearing
Stiff fabrics.
Baggy palazzo and harem pants (Yes, they are currently the height of fashion but frankly no one who has left their teens should wear them, not even you!).
Skirts with thigh stitched pleats.
Narrow straight jeans or very tapered pants.
Are you carrying a little excess weight that gives your torso an oval appearance when you stand side on to the mirror?
Has your waist disappeared, does your tummy lie low and do your hips lurk beneath a couple of love handles?
This curvy shape is that of a Goddess! And like the goddesses of abundance worshipped by the ancients, your hips are likely to be broad and your waist circumference is possibly larger than your bust and hip measurements.
Slimming and trimming strategies can create length in your torso, flatter your silhouette and draw attention away from the middle area and upwards toward your head and shoulders.
You can achieve this by wearing:
· Well fitting uplifting bras and body support garments for the torso.
· Semi fitted, boxy or soft silhouettes.
· Tops, shirts and blouses worn out.
· Vertical stripes from top to bottom or any vertical design influence such as front zips and buttons, long scarves, creases ironed into pants, etc.
· Straight pants with a flat front in a soft or medium fabric (no front pleats please, they gape unflatteringly when you sit down!).
· Pants zip in the front or the back – not running at the side where it can sabotage the hip line.
· Low necklines and long necklaces.
· Garments and outfits in monochromatic colours.
· Straight skirts or skirts with subtle flare and movement such as 4 gore or 6 gore skirts.
· Flowing dresses that just skim the mid-torso.
· Focal points placed high on the torso to draw the eye upward.
Avoid wearing:
High rounded (jewel) necklines – wear a scarf for warmth instead.
Fussy frills, lace and flounces.
Garments with voluminous amounts of fabric.
Anything with pleats.
Anything that emphasizes the waist.
Tops tucked in.
Large lapels on jackets.
Batwing sleeves or wide full sleeves.
Do you have an undefined waist, a high tummy and a tendency towards love handles? Are your hips broad, your upper thighs generous, are you carrying a little excess weight around your midriff and when you stand side on to the mirror is your silhouette the shape of a diamond?
Then that’s what you are, a voluptuous Diamond! Like a true diamond you’ll sparkle when your curves are visually elongated and attention is drawn upwards to your head and shoulder area.
To flatter your curves:
Wear a well fitted uplifting bra and body support garments.
Semi fitted, boxy and soft outlines.
Low necklines, long necklaces and long scarves.
Un-tuck blouses, shirts and tops and wear them out.
Wear solid single-coloured garments top and bottom.
Wear loose fitting garments and dresses that flow loosely through the waistline.
Vertical lines from top to bottom such as a loose button-through dress.
Flat front straight leg pants and jeans with a centre zip (front or back).
Straight skirts and skirts with subtle flares and strong vertical seams such as 4 gored and 6 gored skirts.
Focal points placed high such as a stunning broach or flower, or an unusual necklace. Or a hat!
Avoid wearing
Anything that emphasizes the waist.
High jewel necklines – wear a scarf for warmth and keep the neckline flatteringly lower.
Any garment with pleats especially skirts.
Too much embellishment – flounces, frills and lace collars are not for you.
Garments with voluminous amounts of fabric.
Full wide sleeves and batwing sleeves.
Tops tucked in and belts.
Large lapels.
These shapes do not address any other aspect of your body whether it is weight, height, vertical proportions, prominent features or any other figure challenges you may have.
A meeting with a trained professional style and image consultant will determine styles, line and design elements, accessories and garment lengths to personally suit you.
Make the most of your shape.
For all shapes:
Heels that match your skin give the illusion of long legs. Look for stilettos, sandals and wedges in gold or nude if your skin is light; and bronze, copper or tan if your skin is a deeper colour.
Coordinated shades of one colour such as a moleskin grey dress topped with a charcoal cardigan visually narrow a fuller figure.
Avoid bulky knits in the winter and opt for thinner fabrics (such as fine wool) that skim the body and layer up well with other thin fabrics.
Tailored garments with well defined waists complement curves.
Fabrics that glide over the torso such as lightweight wool, cotton knits and silks enhance and flatter fuller curves without over-emphasising them.
If a dress comes without a waistline and looks sloppy, add a wide belt and wear it at the natural waistline.
Some elements of style flatter every woman and assist in the apparent slimming of body shapes.
Here’s what, and why:
‘V’ neckline
This is the most powerful vertical design line we can bring close to the face. Our eyes are attracted to dominant lines on the body or garment and they naturally follow the lines (or features) in the direction they seem to move. The ‘V’ neckline visually moves up and cups out to encompass the face. The most flattering ‘V’ is one with a depth roughly equal to the length of your face.
The convertible collar
This is a soft turn-down collar with a collar stand (the band of fabric that connects the turn-over part of the collar to the garment) found on most female shirts. The collar is most flattering when it’s worn open to expose a ‘V’ neckline.
Angled flutter sleeves
These stylish sleeves can be worn by every woman, no matter what her body shape is. Flutter sleeves disguise full upper arms or conceal thin upper arms while maintaining a feminine and elegant look.
Three-quarter length sleeves
Tapered three quarter length sleeves allow you to showcase jewellery such as a great watch, cuff or bracelet and keep your arms warm and the upper arm concealed. Three quarter length sleeves are more elegant, slimming and youthful than longer, wrist-length sleeves which tend to look dated and daggy. Push up your long sleeves and see for yourself.
4 and 6 gored skirts
These are skirts made from panels that are stitched together vertically. The seam lines encourage the eye to move upwards and are visually slimming. Gored skirts without a waistband can be even more flattering. The most youthful looking gored skirts are made from modern solid coloured soft fabrics – no denim or patchwork please, they scream ‘elderly’!
Skirts with more than 6 gores tend to look fussy unless they are extremely well designed (and usually expensive!). The gored skirt is one skirt style that benefits from being worn a little longer.
Wrap and sarong skirts
Skirts crossing the torso and fastening on one side flatter everyone because the vertical line three-quarters inside the body of the skirt is usually straight, allowing the eye to travel up and down. Wrap skirts and sarong skirts are among the most comfortable and versatile skirts to wear, they are tied or fastened to fit without compromising the design and can be styled up or down to any occasion.
Straight skirts
The ultimate in classic skirts! The obvious reason is that both the vertical style and the hemline are straight without any distracting elements. Straight skirts are versatile in length and fabric.
Shirtmaker dress
The shirtmaker (or shirt) dress has been around forever. Design tweaks and modern fabrics save it each season from becoming a relic. This is the waisted button-through dress with a collar. Double stitched seams create sturdy-looking upward-leading lines. The shirt-dress is easy to wear, looks youthful and depending on the fabric weight and pattern, is appropriate for almost every occasion.
The wrap dress
With its ‘V’ neckline and gentle drapes and folds across the body to disguise and hide a multitude of figure issues, there’s nothing to dislike about the wrap dress. A feature can be made (or not!) of the side fastening, the style works at most lengths (finishing around the knee is always chic) and it flatters all shapes, heights and body sizes because it’s easily adjusted to fit.
The lapel-less jacket or coat
Clean and simple lines with a little contour, a single button but otherwise unembellished, the lapel-less solid coloured coat or jacket made from simple medium weight fabric that skims your curves is the most slimming, flattering, youthful (and useful) outer garment you can own.
Flat front pants
The simpler the better, in a solid colour and with the zip in either the front (preferably) or the back centre seams.
Bootleg pants or pants with a slight flare at the bottom are the most flattering to all body shapes. If they come with the pockets sewn up, leave ‘em sewn up!
Skirts
Separates are the most versatile garments in our wardrobes and most of us own several skirts. And most of us are wearing our skirts in dated styles and in long, dowdy, lengths! Longer skirts show less leg and visually decrease height, making the wearer appear frumpy. The mid calf is the least flattering part of the leg. Any hemline ending there visually enlarges the calves and chops the legs off.
Short skirts reveal more leg of course, but too short can be inappropriate. The tiny mini skirts that look young and kicky on shop manikins rarely translate well when worn by the woman in her summer years.
So what is the perfect length?
When it comes to skirt length every centimetre makes a difference. The perfect length that is always flattering and always stylish is the spot where the hemline skims the top of the kneecap.
If you go to the back of the knee it’s the spot where the upper and lower legs join, the place where the leg curves. This length shows the entire lower leg and gives an elongated look.
Skirts and dresses that skim the kneecap, regardless of your weight, height or body shape, make you look as though you are swimming in the stream of all things current.
If you’re a little more conservative have the length of skirts and dresses come to the middle of your knee – still sexy and sophisticated.
Lower leg concerns can be addressed by hosiery in subtle shades to blend with the skirt and minimise attention.
When you have fine-tuned the length of your skirt to your satisfaction (and comfort zone) make an appraisal of the width.
The two basic shapes that nearly all other skirt shapes are derived from are the straight skirt and the A-line skirt.
Here’s the thing: while an A-line skirt flaring slightly from the waistband to the hem is universally flattering, the style is matronly. And daggy!
Straight skirts add height and slimness to the silhouette.
A straight skirt that shows off your curves and fits well always looks fresh and classy.
Altering a classic A-line skirt to make it into a wearable straight skirt is relatively easy. Just have the sides tapered by an alteration service or stitch them yourself.
If your shape is up for it wear a pencil skirt which is sleeker and more fitted than a straight skirt - even more sophisticated, and super-sexy!
There are a few skirt shapes the woman in her summer years should never wear no matter what length they are:
Full or circle skirt: Girlish and flirty, this voluminous look was a favourite in the 1950’s and evokes memories of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon romping around singing about Mickey Mouse. Leave this style to winsome teenage girls with ponytails.
Dirndl skirt and the modified dirndl skirt: Another voluminous shape (the modified dirndl isn’t quite as full) that does the mature woman absolutely no favours whatsoever! It’s a ‘folk dancing’ skirt; there is too much puffiness around the waist. A 4 or 6 gored skirt is a more flattering alternative.
Denim skirt: These are tricky. A denim skirt with straight lines, that fits well and ends at the perfect length skimming the top of your kneecap, is usually okay. Be careful though, often the cheaper denim skirts are too casual, too young, too dumpy, too stiff or too western to be flattering. The absolute no-no for anybody our age is the mid-calf length, 4, 6 or 8 gored denim skirt of the 1980’s. This is the most dated skirt there is, we waddle and sway and totally betray our age when one of these skirts is wrapped around the backside! Enough!
Slit skirt: A front slit is neither flattering nor practical. Sitting down is hopeless, you end up flashing the thighs and exposing flesh that’s better left unseen. A front slit skirt always seems to be tugged and pulled at to adjust the slit. It’s too awkward. A more comfortable alternative is a straight skirt with a back inverted pleat that makes walking easier and shows a flattering flash of leg.
Pleated skirt: Pleated skirts perennially make the fashion rounds. Knife pleats, hip stitched pleats and open box pleats belong on high school uniforms and high school girls. The only pleated skirt worth wearing is one that has the pleats sewn from the waist to the mid-thigh, and that should be worn for warmth only when you’re living alone on top of a mountain!
Peasant skirt: This category includes flounced and tiered skirts which can look like folk-dancing wedding cakes. Subtract 5cm off your height for each horizontal seam or line in a tiered skirt.
If the skirt is svelte, made from fine crushed cotton, if it is seamless and teamed with a small top it can look summery and fresh without making you look as though you should be outside hand-tilling the fields.
Pants
So, there’s no way in this world or the next that you’re going to wear a knee-length skirt? Ok! Find the best fitting pants you possibly can – you owe yourself that. .
Pants with side zips have the ability to cause the hips to look bulky. A front or back zip is more flattering and easier to wear.
Stitched up side pockets give a smooth side-line so if you’ve bought pants with the pockets sewn up don’t unpick them and you won’t be tempted to stuff the pockets with junk (tissues, keys, shopping lists etc.). Most side pockets gape once they’ve been unpicked.
Pants with front pleats comfortably accommodate a larger tummy, but they bulge in the very place we feel most self conscious about when we sit down. To be honest, no woman’s appearance really benefits from pleats in the front of her pants. If you really must wear front pleated pants then make sure you cover the pleats with a long modern top.
Flat fronts are far more flattering and easier to cover with a top worn un-tucked and out.
Tailored pants in a matt-weave smooth fabric that skims the hips and reaches the back of the heel visually lengthens the legs. If the pants have an ironed centre crease and are worn with stiletto (or high) heels in a similar colour to the pants the legs are visually slimmed and lengthened even more.
Unstructured slouchy pants, peg-leg pants, harem, Baluchi, skirt-pants, genie and any other unstructured slouchy pants do not flatter any body shape regardless of what the fashionistas tell us. Leave them in the shop.
High waisted pants with a flat front and a wide waistband flatten the tummy when they fit properly.
Capri pants shorten the legs. Counteract this and add height with footwear; heels give a fresh spin on Capri’s, and wedge heels look best. Slim leg cropped pants are more flattering than wide legged pants.
Cargo pants are an indicator you’ve reached middle age. Count how many stylish females under 35 years old you see wearing cargo pants next time you are out and about! The feature pockets of cargo pants visually drag the fabric downwards and the pleats, tucks, studs and buttons are seldom placed in flattering positions. Neutral colours and thick fabric make cargo pants look masculine, realistically the style is more suited to the male physique. Cargo pants worn by women have no redeeming qualities, they are always too wide and too short (and don’t even think about wearing cargo shorts!). Wear a pair of slim-fitting leg-flattering Capri or cropped pants instead.
The perfect structured jacket
You’ll know when you’ve found your perfect structured jacket.
It feels fabulous the moment you put it on. It’s the jacket with the perfect button placement – three buttons that sit in an oh-so-slimming vertical line whether they are fastened or left open. One of the buttons sits exactly at the waist. The shape skims fluidly over the waist and hips, balancing height and weight and camouflaging goddess and diamond figure challenges. The precision cut allows you to move with ease and you can wear a garment other than lingerie comfortably underneath. This is the jacket that coordinates, slims, understates, and takes you anywhere, anytime.
These faultlessly crafted garments don’t have to cost a fortune. Many designers offer modern classics in today’s styles and fabrics at reasonable price points.
If you find this elusive garment and it’s a little pricey reassure yourself the style is classic, one you can wear for a few seasons. The most versatile length for this piece of perfection is where the hemline hits knuckle length. This length balances all body shapes, hides the butt if necessary and coordinates with everything happening below the waist – straight and pencil skirt lengths, pants styles and all heel heights.
This goes with that
Proportion is the key to pulling together a separates outfit. Make a feature of either your top half or your bottom half and maintain balance between the two.
It’s easy: A fuller skirt works best with a fitted top and visa versa – a fuller blousy top looks best with a slim fitted bottom. However, a voluminous top and voluminous skirt don’t work together and they don’t hide any mass beneath.
So many women in their summer years just don’t get this and cover themselves in bulky layers that actually increase their apparent size. Whatever top you choose, don’t tuck it in – you’ll look matronly. A top worn out over the bottom garment is chic and fresh.
On the other hand, if both the top and bottom pieces are too tight they’ll look tacky – no matter what they cost to buy!
Think ‘eclectic’ and buy new pieces with a nod to current colour and styles that coordinate with items you already possess.
If you’re wondering what to do about shoes there’s a simple formula that transcends all age groups:
The shorter the skirt, the lower the heel.
Straight skirts worn at your perfect kneecap-skimming length look their ultimate best when they are worn with a medium high heel.
Back to basics
The secret to a well functioning wardrobe is to have a collection of basic, classic garments to seamlessly take you from day to night and from one occasion to another.
Classic garments are perfectly designed timeless styles that transcend the seasons and decades. They are neutral and unimposing, with a perfect shape, little or no embellishment and clean, uncluttered lines. They are usually the foundation pieces in your wardrobe that have cost more than your seasonal of-the-moment garments. Truly classic garments have a shape, style and design that simply cannot be bettered. They are the stylish woman’s lifeline and her key to looking great and feeling confident.
Classic clothes can be dressed up or down to suit the time of day and the occasion. They coordinate well with each other, and work independently when they are teamed with hot fashion-forward items. Natural fibres – wool, cotton, linen, silk, leather and suede are quality fabrics with longevity.
Wear classics that are youthful and modern with clean shapes. Avoid excessive detail or volume that links a garment to a particular year or season. The newer way with classics is to create an edge.
· Think “elegant”
· Find a contrast
· Invest in a surprise
· Consider the overall line – long and lean, not full and flouncy
· Combine unexpected textures; for example a leather jacket over a floaty chiffon dress is a blend of elegance and cool.
· Fuse together styles such as rocker and hipster. Push up the sleeves of a leather jacket worn over dark denim jeans, a pair of statement sandals and a slouchy bag. Add flair with a long bright coloured tank top, bracelets and fun rings, and a long scarf for warmth.
Refresh older, classic pieces by teaming them with newer pieces:
Wear a sequined jacket with your dark denim jeans. If the jacket is dark, add a pop of colour such as a bright tee shirt or tank top, a leather belt or a clutch bag (or all three!).
Work the reverse if the jacket is light-coloured by wearing it over a dark jewel coloured top.
Layer a classic spring dress with vest, cardigan, belt and boots. The flattering line of the classic dress will give a feminine edge and fashion forward style.
Style staples
Thomas Burberry and Sons created the waterproof gabardine coat in 1895 to keep British officers dry during the Boer War. Later it was adapted and worn by the soldiers in the trenches during World War One.
A fitted, well-cut, trench coat with no stand out details will serve you through many seasons. Wear it the newer way in a vivid shade of patent leather, or consider a shower-proof trench coat made from animal printed gabardine or in a solid jewel colour. Newer trench coats come in all lengths from mid calf (not flattering to anyone) to hip-skimming knuckle length and are worn stylishly over everything from business suits and heels to jeans and jandals.
Never, ever buckle the belt in front. Knot it!
If the belt isn’t long enough to knot or if you prefer not to emphasise your waist, then double the belt over itself behind you and buckle it behind your back.
An oversized white shirt makes a bold statement worn un-tucked and out over a pair of dark blue denim jeans. Find a crisp white shirt with the perfect neckline; white illuminates the face and a ‘V’ neckline works for everyone. Wear a voluminous white shirt above a narrow fitting garment - slim fit or bootleg jeans or a pencil skirt. Roll the shirt sleeves up to ¾ lengths, add interesting and classic accessories; tuck the jeans into ankle boots for the ultimate of chic. Don’t be tempted to wear a man’s white shirt; the collar circumference on men’s shirts is too big and bulky for women.
A classic striped shirt emanates buckets of cool when it’s worn with a long-line structured jacket and edgy patent accessories. Team it with a straight skirt or slim pants.
Ditch the all-encompassing-good-old-standby cardigan for newer knits that are cropped to the waist or dropped to the hips and fastened with juicy beaded buttons or shimmery silvery domes.
Do you have a long-line jacket made from brocade, damask or lush velvet? Move on from the traditional partnership of subtle black pants and switch it down a couple of notches with dark blue denim bootleg jeans and a coordinating jewel coloured tank top. Accessorize with a long neckpiece –necklace or scarf for effortless sophistication.
Re-connections
Do you have garments in your wardrobe that you love and that fit you, but you no longer wear? We all have a piece or two (or more!) that we just can’t bear to part with, maybe because it cost the earth, or the garment evokes a special memory, or it could simply be the occasion to wear it hasn’t presented itself.
Think outside the square, there are ways to reinvent your clothes.
Business suits and shirts are the garments most commonly sitting unworn in the wardrobe. They aren’t needed anymore but they still fit, the colours are good and the thrifty side of you won’t allow you to throw them out while there’s still plenty of wear left in them!
Streamline retired corporate separates with casual, everyday wear to create a welter of outfits. Here’s how:
The Hamptons or preppy look is age appropriate, fashion-forward, classy, classic and chic. All those things! A traditional Hamptons shirt has white collar and cuffs contrasted with a coloured or striped body. It’s an enduring corporate shirt favoured by both women and men. Go bold and classically nautical in your preppy retired corporate striped shirt with a pair of light coloured tailored pants, light cotton espadrilles and a big bright hobo bag or large clutch. Accessorize with sunnies and an oversized metal cuff.
Team a striped shirt with knee length shorts, wedge heels, an interesting clutch bag and a statement belt during summer months. If you are not a shorts wearer work the striped shirt with a pair of great long-length cotton pants and leave it open over a sleeveless tank top or tee shirt just as you’d wear a summer jacket. In cooler months switch the light cotton pants with dark blue denim jeans and throw a sleeveless jacket over the shirt.
Update a retired corporate jacket with patent accessories. Pull on a pair of long-line dark pants or dark denim bootleg jeans, patent flats, a brightly coloured patent belt and a shiny bag. Jacket sleeves rolled or pushed up to just below the elbows give a modern edge.
Put a subtle patterned top or tee shirt under the corporate jacket, add a pair of light coloured cotton-blend pants, wedge shoes (or open toed boots or a pair of shoeboots!) and tie the outfit together with a woven matte leather belt.
A Lurex metallic top brings lustrous shine and an edgy surprise when it’s worn in the evening beneath a dark long-line business jacket. Pull on your great dark denim jeans, high heeled shoeboots or strappy high heeled sandals, and a pair of medium sized hooped earrings for style and glamour.
Toughen up a striped business shirt with leather and metal hardware. Wear the shirt with a leather skirt or long-line dark pants, add a wide belt, a metal cuff, studded footwear and a structured bag with a metal stud details for cool attitude.
Shorten the dark coloured corporate skirt to knee length, straighten the side seams and wear it with textured pantyhose, closed toe wedge shoes and a gorgeous coloured hip hugging sweater in the winter. In warm weather team the skirt with a cap-sleeved tee-shirt, a light sleeveless vest in a bright colour, a really interesting necklace and a pair of great sandals.
The fashion heads up:
- Do not own or wear anything with writing on it.
- Wearing a tee-shirt with a slogan, words or a brand name emblazoned across the front (even if it is depicted in gold letters and glittering diamantes!) provides the manufacturer with free advertising.
- Clever witticisms on tee-shirts are best worn by children and young men.
- Puff sleeves are best worn by children and octogenarians!
- Ageing and seriously matronly-looking (and much worse than a garment splattered with writing) is the tote bag with pictures of the grandchildren photo-printed on the sides.
- Some of us wear our classics in such a jaded way that we’ve become fashion tragic! It might seem jaunty to step out in navy and white striped top and white pants but you won’t see anyone under the age of thirty five wearing such a cliché.
- Ask yourself can anything (the garment, style, colour, etc) be read by others as desperation?
- Follow your intuition. If someone convinces you to wear something you don’t really feel comfortable in it will look wrong. Establish what suits you and stick with it. Do style your own way.
- If you are not into colourful garments wear solid coloured neutrals. Textured fabrics give visual interest.
- Any garment that needs to be pinned, pulled, taped or tucked to be worn well will look uncomfortable because you’ll be continually fiddling with it. If it looks good but it isn’t comfortable reassess it to see if it’s really worth wearing.
- Vintage means you won’t see anyone else wearing the same outfit.
- If your chest is out and your shoulders are back any outfit will look better.
- Play with your clothes. Add a belt. Push sleeves up. Change the buttons to give a different look.
- Dress for yourself. There comes a certain point in life when we need to ignore what others say and step up to our own style.
Cougar on the prowl!
On average women outlive men by eight years so there’s a great likelihood of being left in our summer years, single, healthy and available to partner younger men. We absolutely do not want to look like their mothers!
The eye of the tiger!
A dash of animal print goes a long way. Faux skins, hides or animal prints work best in a colour natural to the pattern –have you ever seen a purple leopard? So if you must have this season’s stylish red and cream zebra print jacket, don’t spend a lot of money on it! Wear just one animal printed garment for sophisticated chic:
Leopard print dress with two-tone shoes, not animal skin shoes.
Animal printed coat over solid coloured garments. Wear solid coloured accessories such as scarf, wrap, clutch, tote, top or shoes.
While we are discussing animals – any pants or shorts so tight they give you camel toe should be immediately removed and discarded!
So, there you are, now you should be able to define your style! If you have any questions or comments I’m contactable on Facebook and I’d love to help.
Next time we are discussing Awesome Accessories – those little pick-me-ups that are designed to invigorate that which has become drab and predictable! We have fun with it all - from eyewear to footwear (and everything in between!). Accesssories are great fun so do join me. Kisses, Dawn xx
Retail details and magic products
Trench coat
David Lawrence shower proof, full length, fully lined trench coat in a range of colours $269, David Jones or www.davidlawrence.com.au
White Shirts
Ben Sherman label has a fabulous selection of white shirts and interesting, reasonably priced striped and business shirts. Jackets, jeans and tee shirts are youthful and trendy-looking and very wearable. www.bensherman.com
If yours is a curvy goddess or diamond figure, try Mirrors (plus sizes) $130 for a classic white linen shirt.
Knickers
Jeanious from Berlei, dipped front and back, perfect for wearing under jeans.
www.berlei.com.au
Pants
The most comfortable, well cut, uncomplicated and stylish pants are those made by Andiamo. They are made in Australia and designed specifically for the 35 plus age group. There are at least 11 different styles, a choice of lengths, sensible colours and a wide spectrum of sizes in the range. They are a brilliant fit, and made from easy care fabrics (requiring minimal ironing) that contain as many stretch fibres as the manufacturer can find!
Available from boutiques in Australia and New Zealand, but not department stores. Expect to pay around $140 plus per pair, they’re worth it! www.andiamo.com.au
